Colon flushing apparatus



Feb. 24, 1959 BRIED 2,874,696

COLON'FLUSHING APPARATUS I Filed July 27, 19 4 United States Patent COLON FLUSHING APPARATUS Julien A. Bried, Berkeley, Calif.

Application July 27, 1954, Serial No. 446,065

8 Claims. Cl. 128-227 This application is a continuation in part of my copending application originally entitled Colon Flushing Apparatus under Serial No. 256,525, Nov. 15, 1951, but which title was changed by the patent examiner so that a patent Will issue in that case under the changed title Colon Flushing Nozzle with Dissolvable Tip with claims limited to the nozzle and dissolvable tip, and the present case is drawn to cover the gravity'discharge control shown in my prior application, together with an improvement on said control.

.The invention relates to apparatus for irrigating or flushing the human colon, and has for its principal objectthe provision of means to supplant the use of an enema ,bedpan for bed ridden persons incapable of having proper natural movements, or of substantially.

aiding in the elimination of fecal matter from their bowels even when given an enema, as frequently the case with persons that are paralyzed or partially so.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear; in the following description and accompanying drawings. r

, In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved colon flushing; apparatus and with part of the rectal nozzle and its tip: shown in section. The arrangement of the apparatus in this figure is as ifbeingapplied to a patient lying on his side at the edge of a bed. Preferably ahospital bed to get more elevation to the drainage bucket on the floor.

Fig-2 is a cross section ofthe controlling valve of Fig. 1 as seen from theline 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the valve as seen from- Fig. 6' is a cross section of a modified arrangement of the passages or ports in the nozzle control valve.

- Before describing the drawings in detail'it will be helpful to state that the apparatus relates more to simple home-use devices for. the purpose above set out so as to do awayentirely with the administering of ordinary'enemas with the use of 'bed pans, yet easily secure a much more complete removal of the feces than is possible even with other flushing apparatusesv in cases where the patient cannot aidjin expelling it or where a portion of it will not pass through any conventional rectal nozzle connected to a discharge hose, as the opening in the tip of such nozzles are necessarily much smaller than the nozzleiltube as the end of the tube must be tapered down to,

arounding point for insertion, and if the hole at the end were large there would 'be no point left, and any side openings provided are 'of little use ,as they are blocked by the'walls of the colon.

The present invention overcomes the above objections,

2,874,696 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 2 by providing an extra largenozzle tube and bore extending straight through it without restriction, but capped on the outer end with a removable roundingly pointed pilot tip which is quickly disintegrated or dissolved after entry into the colon upon'passing the irrigation water into the "ice colon to disperse the disintegrable tip and soften the feces, to thus expose the free fully open end of the nozzle tubes large bore to freely receive the fecal matter and pass it through the bore to, at least an equally large bore rubber hose or other discharge tube leading ever downward to a floor bucket, the withdrawal of the matter being considerably aided by a suctional pull suddenly applied by dropping a standing column of water first established in the downwardly extending discharge tube to the bucket.

The present apparatus permits the above. operation to be carried out by a single practical nurse in a few minutes with the patient lying on one side close to the edge of the bed (preferably a hospital bed to gain elevation), so that the discharge hose will lead downward.

With the above explanation of the purpose of the ap-.

. taper plug type valve which may be formed on or sethat the discharging matter may be easily observed. The

hoses are attached to the valve over nipples 7 and 8, and, the bores or passages in hose 4 and in the valve being of a size to preserve at least the full uninterrupted diameter of the bore 9 of the nozzle, but the water inlet hose 5 and its attaching nipple 8 may be much smaller as indicated. a

Hose 5 leads down from any elevated container or low pressure of warm water, soapy or medicated as de sired, with which to flush or irrigate the patients colon.

Discharge hose 4 is shown, in Fig. l, to be detachably held in place at theupper edge of a slop bucket 6 as'by a spring clip 10 so that its lower end will remain above.

any liquid level in the pail, and preferably attached to the clip adjacent the lower end of the hose 4 is a hosepinching clamp ll or any other type of quick opening shut-01f valve, kept closed until it is desired to siphon olfthe contents of the colon, and which is done (assuming-that the desired quantity of water had been introduced into the colon, and left there for a few minutes,

andthatihoseA was full of water), by first turning valve 3 tothe position shown in Fig. 1 to connect its passage 16 with the nozzle bore and hose 4, then at once quickly opening hose clamp valve 11 to suddenly drop the liquid column of hose 4- into the bucket 6 and thereby create a suction to also draw out of the colon the loosened liquid content.

With the valve 3 in this discharge position its indicator 1'] will point at a small numeral 5 on its rim, and after the discharge the valve. indicator may be turned to position numeral 1 to permit water from hose 5 to Wash out the discharge hose 4 while the lower valve 11 is open, and upon closing 11 fill up hose 4 again, then by turning valve 3 to position 3 it will permit thewate-r to again-flow into the patient for repetition of the treatment. The other or between positions of the valve 3 are all closed positions. A hose-pinching valve may conveniently be placed onf'resh water hose 5, as at apoint 12 so that it may be disconnected from the valve 3 when finished and the apparatus removed for washing up.

The valve plug 3- fits within a housing shell 13 and the plug is. turned by means of a thumb and finger operated handle 15 at the large endof the plugand which handle is curved as shown in Fig. l to indicate the extension of the valve passage 16' through the plug so that a glance atit willshowthe nurse how the valve is set at any time.- However, an audible indicator or click takes place atevery one of its six positions marked around the edge ofthe housing shell by the small numerals 1 to 6 as indicated by the pointer 17 on the plug. The click is produced by the ends 18 of a small leaf spring which snap into slight depression-s around the small end of the shell, each formed with an abrupt edge 19-, or any other suitable detent. This spring also resiliently holds the tapered plug 3 in its seat as it fits over a squared part 20 of a shank 21 extending from the small end of the plug and is held in place as by a thumb nut 22. Thus, ifthe edges 19 are abrupt enough theplugmaybe turned one way only (to the right or clockwise) and cannot be reversed. This makes it impossible for soiled liquid from the discharge getting into the fresh water, as the valve must necessarily be turned through the valve-plug washing position 1 before any more fresh water can be introduced into the rectum nozzle.

It should be noted that the forward end of the rectal nozzle is well roundedso that after the pilot has dissolved and the tube is withdrawn it will not injure the lining of the colon. The disintegrable quality of the pilot tip may be achieved in various ways as set out fully in my copending patent application referred to, now Patent No. 2,691,373 dated October 12, 1954. In using the pilottip, it is first placed in the end of the nozzle, being sure the end ofthe nozzle is not wet, the tip is then lubricated as with Vaseline, also the rectum, and the nozzle inserted with one movement, without any withdrawing action to dislodgethe tip. The amount ofirrigatingwater admitted each time would be like any enema, and the doctors advice, and would be gaged from an elevated supply gaged tank or glass container graduated for the nurse to plainly see, as well understood, and not shown. Any air in the hoses may be shaken out with inlet hose open.

In the modified form of the discharge control shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the descending dischargehose is designated 4 and is preferably controlled by-a foot operated valve 30 just above the receiving floor bucket 6 so that the nurse will not have to stoop to operate it as; she would with the valve 11 of Fig. 1, but can keep her mind always,

with the conditions above bed with bothhands free; to hold the nozzle from slipping out etc. and operate the. water control.

In this modification the upper valve 3 of Fig. 1 may be used, or the one shown in cross section in Fig. 6 which provides for an additional function, i. e. itmay be turned to direct a stream of fresh water from hose 5' into the outflowing discharge stream while the patient is being evacuated so as to function somewhat as a mild hydraulic ejector, to thus gain more and longer siphonic action. This effect may also be obtained by the propermanipulation of two hand operated common hose-pinching valves 31 and 32 respectively on rubber tubes 5 and 4' as indicated in Fig. 4 where hose 4" which extends from the rear end of the rectal'nozzle ldown to the, bucket 6"..has.

a special T fitting 33 interposed in it at a point a short. distance below the nozzle, and which fitting has aside inlet branch 34 to receive the fresh waterhose 5' and which branch enters the T at a downwardly curving slant so that when valve 31 is opened the infiowing water will tend to squirt a stream down the discharge tube 4, so that if the bucket valve were open and a bowel discharge taking place this additionalstream entering at the angle as stated will both increase the suctional discharge and also prolong it.

To run fresh water into the patient only, valve 32 is closed, and valve 31 is opened or, if the bucket valve is to help urge the discharge to the bucket if foot valve is open. Fromthe form of the valve port 16 it will be seen that if from position B shown, the plug be turned atrifle to the rightto G it will shutoff the fresh water inlet while still preserving a full open discharge passageway from the colon nozzle to the lower portion of the discharge hose 4. The plug may be turned to either A, C, or E to shut olf allpassages, or to position F for admitting fresh water to the colon only. Also, if in B position and foot valve is closed, and nozzle not yet in patient, fresh water will fillup system to the open end of the nozzle held upwardly while air escapes from nozzle, then turnedto C to shut 01f Water, then apply the soluble tip on nozzle and insert in the patient, then turn to D or F to admit water to patient, then shut valve again to soak in patient as desired.

To gain a longer time discharge suction, descending hose 4 may be of somewhat enlarged cross section throughout its central portion as indicated at 4", but of course must be strong enough to withstand collapse.

The foot control bucket valve may take various forms and is generally designated 30 in Fig. 4, and comprisesa floor or base plate 38 with a standing bar or pipe 39 secured at its lower end to the plate, and adjacent to which bar the bucket 6 isstood on the plate. At the upper end of the bar is a rigid bracket 40 overhanging the bucket and formedto frictionally embrace the lower end of the hose 4' as shown. Just under this bracket is a rocker 41 straddling the bar and pivoted thereto as at 4:1 and. carrying ahose pinching roller 42 at its eud-over the bucket, and at its other end pivotally connected to a. wire 43 which: extendsdownwardly and ispivotallyconnected at its lower end as at 44 to a pedal 45 in turn pivoted for up and down motion at its opposite end at 46 to the floor plate; The pedal is urged upward as by a spring 47 to normally hold the hose pinching roller 42 retracted from the discharge hose, as shown in. the-drawing; The arrangement being-such so that when the pedal is pushed down by the foot of a nurse it will rock the roller to the left and pinch the hose 4' over against'the overhanging lip 40 of the bracket and close the hose, and when in this position the forward end of'the pedal will lock down in a notch 48 inthe lower part of the bar 39 to hold the discharge hose closed untilreleased bythe foot of the nurse being moved to the right to strike'the upwardly turned end 45 of'the pedal to thus pull the pedal out of engagement with the notch 48 and at which the discharge hose will: instantly be opened to drop the standing leg of. water in the hose into the bucket and to thereby create the suctional'pull on the colon contents as described, of course the valve 35 being. at the same time turned to position B.

To permit the pedal to be thus, moved slightly to the right to release it from the, locking notch, the pivotal mounting of the pedal. includes; an upwardly: and rear- Wardly slanted slot 49, in a. pair. of lugs, 50 on-thefloor plate and in which slot the pivot pin-51 of the-pedaljllides. With; this,- arrangement, an-additional; advantage is that the floor bucket is always free to be taken away for emptying without disturbing the hose or floor stand.

Having thus described my improved control system in colonic fiushng, together with variations in the apparatus for carrying out the system, what I claim is:

1. In a colonic flushing apparatus having a rectal nozzle connected to a water inlet and valve means controlling water flow to the nozzle, a downwardly extending discharge hose leading -from said nozzle to a lower slop receiver, a closure at the lower end of said hose for maintaining a standing column of water therein, and which upon sudden opening will drop said column of water into said receiver and create a mild suction on the colon discharge, and foot operated means for operating said closure to preserve a nurses hands free for manipulating the nozzle and water supply.

2. In a colonic flushing apparatus having a rectal nozzle connected to a water inlet and valve means controlling water flow to the nozzle, a downwardly extend-' ing discharge hose leading from said nozzle to a lower slop receiver, a closure at the lower end of said hose for maintaining a standing column of water therein, and which upon sudden opening will drop said column of water into said receiver and create a mild suction on the colon discharge, and foot operated means for operating said closure to both open and closed position to preserve a nurses hands free for manipulating the nozzle and water supply.

3. In a colonic flushing apparatus, control means for the lower end of a discharge hose leading downward from a patient comprising a floor stand provided with a rigid upright member adjacent which a sloppail is adapted to be stood, means at the upper end of said member arranged to hold the lower end of said hose in overhanging relation to said pail, valve means for closing and opening the hose adjacent its lower end, and foot operated means on said floor stand for operating said valve means arranged to hold it in either position when the foot is removed.

4. In a colonic flushing apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tubular rectal nozzle having a passage therethrough, a finger operated rotary valve means adjacent to the rear end of the nozzle for controlling the flow of liquid to and from said nozzle constructed and arranged to successively carry out the following steps upon a one-way rotation: starting from a position shutting ofi a water supply port, open the water supply port to the nozzle passage, shut 01f the water supply port and shut the nozzle passage, open the nozzle passage to a waste discharge port, connect the water supply port with the waste discharge port only, close the water supply port as at the start for repetition of the steps set out upon the next same directional rotation of the valve means.

5. In the combination as set out in claim 4 means limiting said valve means to said one-way only of turning to require operation of said steps in the order stated only.

6. In a colonic flushing apparatus for a patient in recumbent position on one side and elevated as lying on a hospital bed, the combination of a rectal nozzle and a discharge tube extending downwardly from the nozzle (when in place) to a lower receiving bucket substantially on the floor, valve means for closing the lower end of said tube adjacent its outlet arranged to maintain an upwardly extending unobstructed column of water in said tube substantially to the patient, a branch tube joining said discharge tube near its upper end .valved for the admission of water to said discharge tube and for irrigating the patient through said nozzle when the discharge tube is closed OK at its lower end by said valve means, all whereby when said valve means is suddenly opened said column of water will fall into said bucket and create a suction to pull liquid contents of the colon with it.

7. In an apparatus as set out in claim 6 the passageway of said branch tube where it joins the discharge tube being smaller than the passageway of the discharge tube at that point and directed downwardly thereinto in a manner to function as an hydraulic ejector jet on the falling discharge when the irrigating water is turned on during the falling of such discharge when said valve means at the lower end of the discharge tube is opened.

8. In an apparatus as set out in claim 6, said discharge tube being at least in part of an inside diameter considerably greater than the effective diameter of the nozzle bore to prolong the suctional discharge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 604,835 McCarrol May 31, 1898 1,579,537 Hughens Apr. 6, 1926 1,820,076 Kowan Aug. 25, 1931 1,853,202 Catlin Apr. 12, 1932 2,120,695 Dlesk June 14, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 362,880 France July 11, 1906 269,839 Germany Jan. 31, 1914 

